Shipping Woods Mower - What Freight Class Should Be Used?

[AL Farmall Boy]

I would like to get a gentleman a quote to ship a Woods Mower for a Cub from Alabama to Rhode Island. I can put it on a pallet and drop it off at the freight carrier with no problem, however I'd like to get him a quote so he's not Surprised when he goes to pick it up. They are asking for a "Freight Class" and was wondering if and of you guys have shipped this type of stuff before and what Class you all have used.

I read in the brochure on TM Tractor's website, that a Woods Mower for a Cub weighed 250 lbs in the 1950's. I'd say this mower was purchased in the 80's or 90's; therefore I used 300 lbs as the shipping weight becuase I feel it is built heavier than the older mowers. I know the frieght class are calculated by weight and deminsions; but thought I'd ask about the classes since I'm sure you guys have shipped one reasonably before.

Also......who would you recommend to give the best rate? Haha......Nowadays, I guess there really isn't such a thing as a good rate.

[Dale Shaw]

Cub express

[AL Farmall Boy]

I guess it COULD be possible? A Fast Hitch would like to "hitch" a ride to the same residence as well most likely. Are YOU going up to Rhode Island anytime soon!? haha

[Dale Shaw]

I probably could, considering what it will cost to ship the woods and a fast hitch. LOL

[AL Farmall Boy]

YEP!

[cubguy47]

Class 77.5 is all I have ever used when shipping items freight, list it as agricultural equipment.

[cubguy47]

I use rlcarriers.com as my primary shipper, shipping it to a commercial or business address will save you some money also versus shipping it to a residence.

[AL Farmall Boy]

Thanks CubGuy. So, does the weight/size not matter since you use the same class for your stuff?? When calculating the class by the weight and size (using estimates), it comes up with Class 110. I have always just shipped it to the distribution center and the buyer would simply pick it up. I didn't see an option for that on the quote form for RL Carriers. They also told me they'd come to our place and pick it up at no extra charge, and it seems like they DO charge ALOT for that.

[cubguy47]

Thanks CubGuy. So, does the weight/size not matter since you use the same class for your stuff?? When calculating the class by the weight and size (using estimates), it comes up with Class 110. I have always just shipped it to the distribution center and the buyer would simply pick it up. I didn't see an option for that on the quote form for RL Carriers. They also told me they'd come to our place and pick it up at no extra charge, and it seems like they DO charge ALOT for that.

Weight does matter in regards to cost. Be sure to state the actual weight correctly because they will back charge you if it is wrong. They monitor the weights pretty closely because any semis pulled over at weigh stations for being over get fined big time.

Class has nothing to do with weight as far as I am aware, class is the type of product you are shipping and what it is made of. I have used class 77.5 for 8 years now with them and have never had any issues whatsoever.

You can do an online quote, but I always call them direct and speak to the Rate department, they will take your info down and give you a verbal quote, but then they give you a rate quote number that you can use on the Bill of lading form when you proceed with your shipment process.

As far as I know, it is the same rate whether it is shipped to a business address or whether it is picked up at the distribution center, the only time they really add to the cost is when you require residential delivery of your product, or add a liftgate charge.

I think the only way they will pick up your shipment at no charge is if you are at a business address, they charge extra for any residential pickups, I think they might have misunderstood what you were asking if they said no charge for pickups. I always take it to their depot, fill out a bill of lading, and pay with a check, then it is off and gone and arrives normally within 3-4 days at its destination.

Hope this helps.

[AL Farmall Boy]

How do you weigh your shipments accurately for a quote because taking to the depot for a weight and then waiting on the person to decide whether he wants the item or not is alot of time and fuel. Do you have your own scales? I thought if I went by the shipping weight listed in the manuals/brochures, it would be close enough (and maybe add extra to be safe).

[cubguy47]

How do you weigh your shipments accurately for a quote because taking to the depot for a weight and then waiting on the person to decide whether he wants the item or not is alot of time and fuel. Do you have your own scales? I thought if I went by the shipping weight listed in the manuals/brochures, it would be close enough (and maybe add extra to be safe).

I have the old type scale with weights that you see in lumberyards sometimes. I band the item to the pallet then put the whole assembly on my scale.

If you are going off of the printed manufacturer weight you will be just fine, but be sure to also add in the pallet weight or whatever you are strapping it to. 35-40 lbs is about right for a 4 x 4 pallet.

In terms of accuracy, if you are off by 50 lbs you are ok, I guess I am talking 100 or more pounds of a miscalculation, something more significant, that is when they will back charge you.

[AL Farmall Boy]

Yeah, we used to have a set of scales years ago....I'd say they were about the size of a pallet with the top part where you added weights. I think they got scrapped or sold 15 or so years ago. I need to find another good set. It'd be a good investment to have.

[AL Farmall Boy]

I got the dimensions of the woods mower (on the tractor) as it would be shipped on a pallet taken apart. It looks like it would conservatively be 49-50 inches square by 18-20 inches tall. A pallet is 48 inches by 44 inches, therefore it would fit will minimal hangover, which I don't think would matter because it is a low profile square steel deck.

It would be a great idea for some of us to keep a spreadsheet or records where we ship something (when Cub Express isn't available) of items we ship, so when a shipping weight, freight code, etc is needed; it would be handy to have. I figured between all of us on here, someone would have that info. The 77.5 weight class sounds good to me, but I'd hate to be a little off on the weight and cheat the buyer on the shipping by having too much weight, and then I'd really hate to cheat myself and not add enough.

[CPIII]

The best way in my opinion is like Dale said ....CUB EXPRESS!!
I recently bought a Continental Belton mower from Dgrapes in Ohio and in the course of a few weeks i picked it up about 4 hours from my house. It was the greatest thing!! Thanks again to all that made its journey possible!!